MTD 215-395A - Manual (Page 8)

NOTE
This tiller is equipped with a variable
speed pulley making it necessary for
the engine to be running to move
the control lever into the faster speeds.
A downward pressure on the handles
will increase working depth and re­
duce the forward speed. An upward
pressure on the handles will reduce the
working depth and increase the for­
ward speed. The type of soil and work­
ing conditions will determine the actual
setting of the depth bar and the handle
pressure required.
If the tines stop rotating or the belt
slips, stop the engine and examine the
tine area for a rock or some object that
may be jamming the tines and prevent
them from turning. Reversing the tiller
will usually free the object.
NOTE
If the tines tend to bounce instead of
cutting into the soil, one or more sets
of tines may be on backwards. The
cutting edge of the tines should enter
the soil first.
Step 6. To reverse the direction of rotation of the
tines, pull the control lever into the reverse
position. The control lever must be held in
reverse. See figure 9.
b. Oil Change
To avoid spilling gasoline on your lawn or driveway,
plan to change the oil when the gasoline tank and car­
buretor are empty.
After the first two hours of operating a new engine,
drain the oil from the crankcase while the engine is
still hot and refill the crankcase with new oil; there­
after change the oil after every 25 hours of operation.
This procedure ensures for minimum wear of engine
parts and provides for virtually trouble-free operation.
To change the oil, proceed as follows:
Step 1. With the machine on level ground, place a
suitable metal container under the oil drain
plug, then remove the drain plug. See figure
12.
Step 2. After the oil has been drained completely
from the crankcase, replace the drain plug and
tighten.
Step 3. With the tiller on level ground, remove the
oil filler plug (See figure 16). Fill the crankcase
until the oil overflows from the oil fill hole.
Fill slowly to avoid air locks. The crankcase
should hold approximately 2% pints of SAÉ
30 type MS engine oil. Replace the oil filler
plug.
CHAIN CASE LUBRICATION
The chain is permanently lubricated and requires no
further lubrication unless the case is disassembled for
repair.
If the case is disassembled, clean the chain with kero­
sene, allow it to dry and work a high temperature
grease, such as Lubriplate No. 310 into the chain.
NOTE
A 4 oz. container of Lubriplate No. 310
is available under part number 727-0136.
CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
No chain adjustment is necessary.
AIR FILTER
Under normal operating conditions, the air cleaner,
located on top of the carburetor, must be serviced
after every ten hours of use. Under extremely dusty
operating conditions, the air cleaner must be serviced
after every hour of operation. See figure 15.
Step 1. Remove the wing nut and cover.
Step 2. Remove the paper element from the support
base.
Step 3. To clean, tap the paper element (either top or
bottom) on a flat surface or wash in a non-
sudsing detergent and flush from the inside
until the water is clear. After washing, air dry
thoroughly before using.
FIGURE 15. AIR CLEANER